Jumping right into the predictions, we split the picks down the middle. Some were spot on. Some were pretty close. And well, some were terrible. But hey, it was opening week for me too though, or at least that is what I tell myself. To check out my picks, the embarrassing ones included, click here.
The Good
Pick: North Dakota State University -6.5
Final Score: JVST 7 – NDSU 33
I was very high on NDSU with their debut in the FBS, and this team looked every bit the part. While it was close for a while, the Bison overpowered Jacksonville State with their defense, and eventually they broke through on the other side of the ball. Does not help that JVST had a bad run of 0 points outside of the first quarter.
Pick: University of North Carolina +8.5
Final Score: UNC 15 – TCU 10
When I said there was a potential for unpredictability in the annual Ireland game, I was not kidding. A 15-10 final score, a ridiculous safety, and honestly, just a weird game. Either way, Belichick not only covered a near 10-point spread, but he also won outright. His seat may have gotten a tad cooler.
The Bad
Pick: University of Southern California -38.5
Final Score: SJSU 26 – USC 42
I have a tendency to actually lean away from giant spreads like this one, but when I do, they usually win 77-0 (a game I actually attended and stayed the entire game for). Either way, USC was in control of this game the entire time, leading 28-0 at half. They gave up 23 points in the 4th quarter, when they were up by an insurmountable amount. It is what it is.
Pick: University of Nevada Las Vegas -4.5
Final Score: MEM 27 – UNLV 21
Not exactly what I was expecting or hoping for from the home favorites. Incoming QB Jackson Arnold played well, but it was not enough. He led the team in rushing, with only 51 yards on 21 attempts, so that is something that is going to need to change for the future. Memphis put up 17 points in the 3rd and that was too much for UNLV to surmount.
The Ugly
Pick: North Carolina State University +4.5
Final Score: NCST 8 – UVA 34
Virginia bullied NC State all around the field. It was clear from the start that Virginia was going to be able to gash them with runs, right up the middle. I actually was so delusional with NC State, that I took them +13.5 when they were down 10-0. And then that got out of hand, too. This is why I outwardly admit how bad I am at this.
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